The recent allegations of illegal sand beach mining has caused quite a stir in the export industry. The state government has set up an investigation team to look into the matter. One company to find itself in the midst of the controversy is VV Minerals. Founded by S Vaikundarajan in the late 1980s, VV Mineral Mining is one of the largest mining companies in the country. It is also known to be the largest producer and exporter of Garnet and Ilmenite.

Being the biggest player in the mining industry, it doesn’t come as a surprise that all allegations are pointed at VV Mineral. However, VV Mineral Vaikundarajan makes a valid point when stating that a scam of this extent is practically impossible for one company to pull off.

The mining industry saw a turn of events with the Tamil Nadu government announcing a new policy for the sale of beach minerals. The government is set to put forth new granite policy that will allow it to undertake the sale of beach minerals in order to augment resources.

The initiative puts the government in good books financially although the Sale of Indian Mad Foreign Liquor is still the biggest revenue spinner for the state.

The policy should come as a respite in the wake of illegal sand beach mining scam that was probed by Madras High Court. The investigation has been ongoing since 2013.

Further improvements can be expected as the government prepares to launch a ‘Comprehensive Flood Protection Plan’ that will help curb the impact of floods in Chennai and other vulnerable coastal districts. Top priority will be given to Chennai – Bengaluru and Madurai – Thoothukudi corridors for the development of industrial corridors project. The entire operation will be computerized for better monitoring.

The illegal beach mining scam has gravely affected VV Minerals India, the largest sand beach mining company in India. While the investigating committee is yet to reach its verdict, there has been no evidence to suggest any illegal activities on behalf of the company. VV Mineral Vaikundarajan believes that the new policy and government’s initiatives will bring hope to the mining industry.

Established in the late 1980s by S Vaikundarajan, VV Minerals is one of the leading sand beach mining companies in India. Over the last two decades, the company has won several National Awards for its contribution to the export business. Today, VV Mineral Miningis the leading company to extract and export garnet and ilmenite for 20 years.

Recent allegations of illegal beach mining have put the company’s reputation at stake. The company has been accused of illegally exporting thorium to several countries. However, the company officials released a statement that there doesn’t exist a proper technology that allows separation of thorium from monazite. This was later confirmed by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

Completely ignoring the technological challenges that the entire industry is facing, former principal scientist at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Kochi stated, “Indian Rare Earth Ltd (IREL), Manavalakurichi, uses the sand from the same area and produces thorium, so what happens to the monazite in the VV mines? Does the company follow the procedure recommended by the AERB?”

The company is also accused of mining without proper clearance. The company officials were quick to mention that they have established a mineral separation plant and approached the AERB for a license that is still pending.

“The IREL officials have made baseless allegations. The authority has taken no action against the complaint launched by the company. Hence, we have approached the High Court,” says Vaikundarajan as he assures that VV Minerals India has operated within legal boundaries.

All activities pertaining to sand mining have been temporarily suspended. The company has filed two writ petitions that are pending with the Madras High Court.

The World Nuclear Association is a global body of nuclear industry that declared India to be a home to 300000 tonnes of thorium deposit. Contrary to this report, some studies suggest that the beach minerals in India have depleted considerably. As of today, a staggering 2,00,000 tonnes of thorium oxide is reported missing in India. The monazite quantity has decreased by over 2.1 million tonnes.

A scam surrounding illegal beach mining activity has recently come to light. Being the largest producer of garnet and ilmenite, VV Mineral Mining has by default found itself in the midst of this controversy.

VV Mineral Vaikundarajan, founder, said in an interview, “The mineral rich sand is getting washed away from the Indian coastline in the absence of mining, and as a result, Sri Lanka, located further down, is reaping rich benefits at the cost of Indian industry.” The rising water-level due to global warming is already causing a lot of problems all over the world, and with the water moving in on the shores, India might be losing a lot of mineral reserve. If action is delayed, India will lose its Thorium-rich status.

VV Mineralwas established in the late 1980s by S Vaikundarajan. In the last two decades, the company has won several National Awards for its contribution to the export business. The company is also the highest manufacturer and exporter of Garnet and Ilmenite in India. Recent allegations of illegal sand beach mining seem to have put the company’s development on hold.

VV Mineral Vaikundarajan has expressed that the company has always operated within the legal boundaries and that the allegations are baseless. The company has taken a legal route to fight the allegations and clear its name. To this date, no evidence has been presented that could prove the company guilty of illegal mining.

A company warehouse was unsuccessfully raided by District Collector Ashish Kumar. Having found no evidence and further tarnishing the company’s reputation by speaking in the media, the district collector was given the marching orders.

VV Minerals India spokesperson, speaking to NDTV, denied these allegations and claimed that the “charges made by the former District Collector are baseless, motivated and vague.”

The company has enjoyed a 100% monopoly in Ilmenite mining and has a giant share in exporting Garnet. This fact is being misused by the competitors to halt the company’s progress and cause serious damage.

VV Mineral Mining, V Subramanian, dismissed all allegations as a conspiracy by its business rivals.

“Sundaram is passing this as a cruel joke. He is on the payroll of our business rival… Our hands are clear. We will come out clear from these allegations. Our records are straight,” Ravindram Duraiswami, advocate for VV Mineral told NDTV.